| Born 1917 in Denmark |
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| As the son of a seafaring marine engineer, Captain Vilhelm Hansen was exposed to the sea early in life. After graduation from school, he joined the Danish sailing schoolship "GEORG STAGE" and later served on the schoolship "DANMARK" as a cadet. |
| Still enthusiastic about life on the seas, Captain Hansen joined the merchant marine, serving first on a schooner and later on a steamship before starting studies at the Navigational school in Copenhagen. |
| During World War II, Captain Hansen was drafted and served in the Danish Navy on a minesweeper. In August, 1943, when the Nazis seized that part of the Danish Navy which was not scuttled, the young Vilhelm Hansen was captured and sent to a prison camp. |
| In 1944, he was made second mate on "GEORG STAGE" and in 1947 promoted to chief mate. In 1964, Vilhelm Hansen assumed command of the "DANMARK" which had served the U.S. Navy as a cadet training ship during World War II. It was a position he was to hold for almost 22 years. During those years, Captain Hansen was a frequent and popular visitor to these shores, hosting Danish and American visitors who enjoyed his warm and enthusiastic hospitality onboard the "DANMARK." |
| Before giving up his command, the "DANMARK" captained by Vilhelm Hansen was honored as the first foreign vessel in the tallship parade in New York Harbor on July 4,1986. Following the American ship "EAGLE," the "DANMARK" led an impressive parade of foreign sailing vessels on that memorable day. |
| Captain Vilhelm Hansen was honored by Denmark when his Majesty King Frederik bestowed upon him the Royal Order of Knight of Dannebrog. Subsequently, Queen Margrethe awarded him the Order of Knight of Dannebrog, First Class. |
| The Danish American Society is very proud to honor Captain Vilhelm Hansen as its 1987 Man of the Year. |
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| Click here for CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- SENATE S5103 JUNE 14, 2000 |
